From Critical Science to Solutions

First Published in 2017. In this volume, the editor collected articles that primarily appeared in the "Scientific Solutions" section of New Solutions, A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. The articles in the book are grouped into three general categories, starting with Critical Science. These articles are primarily critiques of "how science is done" or how science is incorporated into public health policy in the United States and elsewhere. The second category is what I have called Precautionary Science. These articles, such as the ones by Dement on asbestos and Solomon, and colleagues on the risks of manganese, essentially call for precautionary regulations to reduce exposures where there is substantial but, in the eyes of some, less than definitive scientific knowledge. The final category is Solutions Science. In some ways, this represents the current stage of precautionary science, where we have begun to look at larger societal issues and have moved beyond traditional scientific approaches and critiques.

Richard Clapp Boston University School of Public Health and University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Section I CRITICAL SCIENCE Chapter 1. A Case Study of Pseudo-Science in Occupational Medicine Chapter 2. Endocrine Disruption Comes into Regulatory Focus Chapter 3. The Relevance of Occupational Epidemiology to Radiation Protection Standards Chapter 4. Science is Not Sufficient: Irving J. Selikoff and the Asbestos Tragedy Chapter 5. Silenced Science: Air Pollution Decision-Making at the EPA Threatens Public Health Section II PRECAUTIONARY SCIENCE Chapter 6. PCBs in School-Persistent Chemicals, Persistent Problems Chapter 7. Chrysotile Asbestos Exposure: Cancer and Lung Disease Risks Chapter 8. Manganese in Gasoline: Are We Repeating History? Chapter 9. Describing Community Health Risks: Can Epidemiology be Improved? Chapter 10. Have Risks Associated with the Presence of Synthetic Organic Contaminants in Land-Applied Sewage Sludges Been Adequately Assessed? Chapter 11. Are We Winning or Losing the War on Cancer? Deciphering the Propaganda of NCI's 33-Year War Section III SOLUTIONS SCIENCE Chapter 12. What is Yet to Be Done Chapter 13. Good Practice Guidelines for Occupational Health Research Funded by the Private Sector Chapter 14. Factors Influencing Ergonomic Intervention in Construction: Trunkman Case Study Chapter 15. Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation Chapter 16. The Sustainability Solutions Agenda